Spring plate pressure-tolerant battery module

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure may include a battery system including a plurality of cells and a housing. The plurality of cells each include a pouch cell; first and second compression plates; and a spring plate including a plurality of channels configured to receive a flow of coolant therethrough. The housing includes a cavity configured to receive the plurality of cells and the coolant. The battery system is configured to withstand environmental applied pressures of at least 100 pounds per square inch (psi).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery system comprising:
 a plurality of cells, each of the cells including:
 a pouch cell; and 
 first and second compression plates; 
   a spring plate disposed between two respective compression plates of two adjacent cells, the spring plate including a plurality of channels for coolant flow; and   a housing including a cavity configured to receive the plurality of cells, the spring plate, and the coolant;   wherein the battery system is configured to withstand environmental applied pressures of at least 100 pounds per square inch (psi).   
     
     
         2 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring plate is configured to form a spacing of at least 2 mm between the spring plate and a first compression plate of an adjacent cell in the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         3 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the plurality of channels of the spring plate includes a zig-zag, a waveform, a semi-circle, a half-droplet, or a trapezoidal shape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch cell is positioned within a cavity formed between the first compression plate and the second compression plate, and wherein the housing is filled with a potting material that extends over at least a portion of electrodes of the pouch cell. 
     
     
         5 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a flexible high thermal conductivity plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a check valve configured to vent gases generated within the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein, in operation, the coolant circulates through the cavity and the plurality of channels of the spring plate without the use of a pump. 
     
     
         8 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one inner wall of the housing includes a pattern configured to facilitate heat transfer. 
     
     
         9 . The battery system of  claim 8 , wherein the pattern includes one or more of zig-zag grooves, semi-circular grooves, half droplet-shaped grooves, trapezoid-shaped grooves, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The battery system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a check valve configured to prevent oxygen or other gases or fluids from entering into the battery system. 
     
     
         11 . A battery system comprising:
 a plurality of cells, each of the cells including:
 a pouch cell; 
 first and second compression plates; and 
 a spring plate including a plurality of channels configured to receive a flow of coolant therethrough; and 
   a housing including a cavity configured to receive the plurality of cells and the coolant;   wherein the coolant passively circulates through the cavity and the plurality of channels of the spring plate without the use of a pump.   
     
     
         12 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein the spring plate is configured to form a spacing of at least 2 mm between the spring plate and a first compression plate of an adjacent cell in the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         13 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein a shape of the plurality of channels of the spring plate includes a zig-zag, a waveform, a semi-circle, a half-droplet, or a trapezoidal shape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein the pouch cell is positioned within a cavity formed between the first and second compression plates, and wherein the housing is filled with a potting material that extends over at least a portion of electrodes of the pouch cell. 
     
     
         15 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a flexible high thermal conductivity plastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a check valve configured to vent gases generated within the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein the battery system is configured to withstand environmental applied pressures of at least 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi). 
     
     
         18 . The battery system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one inner wall of the housing includes a pattern configured to facilitate heat transfer. 
     
     
         19 . The battery system of  claim 18 , wherein the pattern includes one or more of zig-zag grooves, semi-circular grooves, half droplet-shaped grooves, trapezoid-shaped grooves, or a combination thereof.